Teglio’s Library
Palazzo Piatti-Reghenzani, in the centre of Teglio, is also known as Casa del Cucò [Cucò’s House], from the name of its owner Antonio Reghenzani, known as “Cucò”. He was responsible, in fact, in the early decades of the 20th century, for important structural modifications and graffiti decorations. The current building, in reality, is the sole surviving part of the large 16th-century building belonging to the Piatti family, protagonists of life in Teglio, together with the Besta family, between the 15th and 17th centuries. This wing of the original complex, which remained with the family after various transfers, was bequeathed by Luigi Piatti to his maid, Marta Giumelli, wife of Antonio Reghenzani. On the latter’s death, the Palazzo passed to his daughter Maria, his sole heir, who died in poverty in London in 1978. After a lengthy diplomatic and bureaucratic procedure, the Palazzo became property of the Italian State and was then assigned to the Municipality of Teglio. Today, completely restructured, it houses the “Elisa Branchi” Municipal Library.
Read more The original complex, built in the 16th century on foundations from the Roman and medieval ages, was divided up into various parts, which today can be traced to the buildings adjacent to the Palazzo. Signs of the Renaissance style, in fact, are still evident in the sophisticated portico with loggia. Another important testimony of the period is to be found again inside, in the frescos in two small rooms on the upper floor. Here ornaments typical of Renaissance grotesques and biblical episodes of Daniel and Moses have been brought to light: a legacy of the Piatti family, who converted to the Protestant faith. The interventions of Antonio Reghenzani, on the other hand, are visible in the graffiti decorations, in the coats of arms of the Piatti, Besta, Guicciardi and Gatti families in the loggia and in the biblical verses and curious mottos and phrases in various parts of the building. In the garden, today a theatre for open-air performances, a rich variety of plants and flowers form an evocative itinerary for the senses.
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